We’ve stayed in some nice rooms along the way. But in St. Louis, we hit the motherlode.

I’d reserved a standard one bedroom suite at the Four Seasons in St. Louis. Marlboro Man and I had never stayed in a Four Seasons before, and because it was by the water with a view of the Gateway Arch, we decided it would be worth it. As I’ve tried to do with a lot of our hotel reservations, I prepaid for the room in full. Remember I said that in a moment.

When we arrived at the hotel, I went in to check in and decided since our experience in Kansas City had been a good one, I’d work up the nerve to ask for an upgrade again. I was still a little squeamish about it, but figured it couldn’t hurt as long as I was prepared to hear “no” as the answer, which I was.

And here’s what happened:

“I’m here to check in,” I said.

“Last name, please?” the young man at the front desk asked.

“Drummond,” I replied.

Click-click-click.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “It appears that your room has been upgraded at no charge; you’re now in a much larger suite than you’d reserved.”

Wait. What?

“Oh…okay,” I said. I hadn’t asked for an upgrade. What just happened?

He gave me the keys and as I was walking upstairs with Marlboro Man I said, “Well…I got us a really good upgrade!”

Snicker snicker.

Then we walked in.

Honey? I’m home.

Cancel everything through Christmas.

I’m not leaving.

“Wow,” Marlboro Man said. “What did you say to him?”

“Oh, I just told him that if he knew what was good for him, he’d give me the sweetest room in the hotel,” I answered.

“No, really,” Marlboro Man said. “Did you just ask for an upgrade and that’s it?”

So then I had to come clean. I’d had nothing to do with this.

Then my curiosity got the better of me. I called down to the front desk and asked for the nice boy who’d checked me in earlier. Once he was on the phone, I confessed to him that I was all prepared to grovel for an upgrade, so it had taken me by surprise that an upgrade had already been put through.

“I’m just curious,” I asked. “Can you tell me the reason the room was upgraded?” Not that I was complaining.

He explained that the hotel had oversold/over-reserved the kind of room I’d reserved, and that they appreciate customers who pre-pay for their reservations. So they simply upgraded the reservations of those who’d prepaid.

All I can say is, I’ll take it.

This was the most aesthetically pleasing hotel room I’ve ever been in. And we only got to stay for one night.

TRAVESTY!

This is it. This is home.

Oh my

The hotel just finished construction in 2008, which explains the very well-planned rooms and bathrooms. Out of this world.

The closet. Oh my.

I’m in love with this hotel. It was so comfortable, spacious, sleek, and beautiful…

And the view was out of this world.

Here are some peeks at different areas around the hotel.

An area in the lobby.

A restaurant/bar area…

The view past the bar. I love the arch.

An outdoor fireplace area. Toasty!

An uncommonly gorgeous pool.

And here’s Marlboro Man’s workout room.

Not that this applies to me whatsoever.

And here’s the area near the spa. Striking!

The Moral of the Story: if you don’t mind your plans being inflexible, prepay for your hotel reservations whenever possible. You’ll save money in the long run…

311 Comments

Cindy On Thursday, November 19 at 11:57 am

You are leading a charmed life my dear! Have a great time in Chi-town….you deserve it!

2

Missie On Thursday, November 19 at 11:57 am

Beautiful Hotel! What a blessing to upgrade – without all the awkwardness of having to ask!

3

Kimberly On Thursday, November 19 at 11:58 am

WOW!!! I hope your punks enjoyed it! What do you do with them to get some ALONE time with MM??

4

Teri Dingler On Thursday, November 19 at 11:59 am

I travel in my job – you have shown me the way! I shall prepay and hope for the best!! Absolutely gorgeous – and to think I need to visit St. Louis in April! Four Seasons, here we come!

5

Abbie On Thursday, November 19 at 12:00 pm

This is probably a super stupid question, but what do you mean by prepay? I’m guessing it is something different than going online and reserving with a credit card like I usually do when planning a trip.

What a great tip – the only time I’ve gotten an upgrade that good was the evening after our wedding when my husband and I were checking into our hotel and for some reason they were really busy AND a group of people in front of us were throwing a giant fit about something and monopolizing all the help. You could tell that the people behind the desk felt terrible that my husband and I (clearly a bride and groom as I hadn’t changed out of my dress) had to wait to check in. Sweetest upgrade ever.

10

Kathy On Thursday, November 19 at 12:03 pm

Beautiful…. Good Luck in Chicago

11

Mom of Multiples On Thursday, November 19 at 12:03 pm

Oh, home sweet home. I miss it. Thanks for the pictures. I was born and raised there, but have been in the south for 11 years and I miss it! I don’t get to visit often… and I miss it! St. Louis was the best place ever to be raised.
I miss it.

THIS ROOM IS THE NICEST ROOM I’VE SEEN IN A LOOOOOONG TIME – BUT THAT VIEW – THE ARCH WAS RIGHT IN YOUR ROOM (practically). I’M SURE YOU ALL ENJOYED YOUR TIME IN ST. LOUIS!

17

Monie On Thursday, November 19 at 12:10 pm

How FABULOUS! The room is absolutely gorgeous. I want to live there. Seriously. I have this fantasy about living in a hotel, with maid service, room service, spa services, beauty shop, etc. It’s my extreme fantasy of ‘Assisted Living’. I’m so happy for you to be on the receiving end of the ‘royal treatment’. You so deserve this!

18

Jane in KC On Thursday, November 19 at 12:10 pm

Talk about your wide open spaces – best of both worlds! The boys might be a little confused the next time you get a regular hotel room………Have fun in Chicago!

19

MNStacey On Thursday, November 19 at 12:13 pm

Hmmm, Chicago. Are you staying with your brother? Then I would definitely demand an upgrade!

20

Judy Stacy On Thursday, November 19 at 12:14 pm

Way to go Ree. Beautiful, beautiful.
Now I would like to go to the book sigining in Torrance, CA
but would like to share the ride and cost. I live in Las Vegas and if anyone in Henderson, Boulder City, Jean, Parhump, Baker. Barstow, Victorville, or any way along the way to Torrence I would give a ride for a share of the cost of gas. I have a 7 passenger van so I have room for 6 passengers. Please contact me at [email protected] if you would like to go to see Ree, and get to know another PW fan.

21

Dawn On Thursday, November 19 at 12:14 pm

Gorgeous! Great tip about pre-paying for the room, and plus I also chalk it up to good karma. You pay into this world with good, as we all know you do…you get good karma in return.

22

Sheila On Thursday, November 19 at 12:15 pm

Wow, you could lose a small child in that suite! Sweet! It’s bigger than my house!!

Overbooked? Pshh…I say it’s because you are a celebrity-yup, that has to be it.

27

Carolyn Eastman On Thursday, November 19 at 12:23 pm

Wow…I’m the closest to being the first that I’ve ever been! Not knowing how thoroughly you peruse your comment section–but I have a hotel deal for you

I work for InterContinental Hotels Group and I have a Friends and Family rate that I can pass around to whomever I choose…you can use the rate at any of our hotels anywhere in the world. I know that you’ll be in Atlanta in December and you could get a pretty swank deal on a suite at our InterContinental Buckhead (1 mile away from your book signing)…just book using this link: http://www.tinyurl.com/carolynshoteldeals

(And I usually reserve that comment solely for the cowboys on your blog.)

29

amanda On Thursday, November 19 at 12:23 pm

SO glad STL treated you well, COME BACK ANYTIME!

30

Theresa in Texas On Thursday, November 19 at 12:24 pm

Never in my life have I seen such a beautiful and luxurious suite. The bathroom was outstanding. That tub is what I call a soaking tub, and I hope you got some time to put it to that use. Looks like the weather was wet, but I bet your boys would have loved that fire pit. I know mine would have (even if he’s about to be 26).

Just curious, don’t know if you read through these comments but I’m wondering what the specs are on some of your pictures. I can never get a really great indoor shot, especially when there’s a huge backlight issue with the window and yours came out perfect! thanks!

37

Stephanie S On Thursday, November 19 at 12:33 pm

Glad STL treated you nicely! It was great meeting you and your family!!

38

Mariana On Thursday, November 19 at 12:33 pm

I love living vicariously through these hotel posts!

39

corrie On Thursday, November 19 at 12:34 pm

Oh man!!!

THE tub of my dreams!!! I don’t want jets, just DEEP SOAK!!

40

Kathy On Thursday, November 19 at 12:35 pm

So glad you got to stay at the Four Seasons. It is truely our nicest hotel downtown now. I’ve only been in the lobby and restaurants, but am planning to book a room for my husbands birthday in June. I’ll remember to use your idea of pre-paying and hope for the best.

Sorry it was rainy and cold while you were here. Loved meeting you and your husband and the boys (so cute, and not just the boys – hee).

We stayed at Hotel Lumiere which is right on the other side of the casino from the Four Seasons – it was beautiful but the Four Seasons makes it look like a dump! I’m glad you enjoyed your stay in St. Louis. I love it here

For some reason I thought when authors did book tours the pubisher would pay for the hotels,etc. All I can say is , If I ever write a book, it’ll be a short book tour, only to cities ith Holiday Inns. Possibly Motel Six’s.

I am so glad St. Louis was good to you! I hope you come back when you release “From High Heels to Tractor Wheels”!!!!!!!!!!!!

44

aurorafedora On Thursday, November 19 at 12:39 pm

yipes! how amazing IS that??!!!!

45

Rebecca On Thursday, November 19 at 12:40 pm

Ree– So glad you enjoyed your stay in STL. I’m from the area and am bummed I missed your visit! The Four Seasons is BEAUTIFUL as is it’s neighbor, Lumiere Place. Too bad you only stayed one night, St. Louis really is a neat place to tour!

Now THAT is a hotel suite! I love the bathroom, especially that great tub…(I am imagining having a bath in a nice tub like that, in a great hotel room like that….I may have to book a trip to St Louis…lol). And that CLOSET! In a hotel suite! But my favorite thing may just that pretty area rug in the lobby. Thanks for letting us travel with you Ree

Wow, beautiful! We always prepay and have never had an upgrade! Maybe it’ll be my chance next

I love looking through all of your pictures, but I kept thinking “ack! what is that big silver thing in the corner of my eye”, and then I’d realize each time that it was the arch. How awesome!

60

Kathy/IL On Thursday, November 19 at 12:49 pm

So sorry that we couldn’t provide nicer weather for your visit to St. Louis … but I guess we made up for it in your hotel room, eh? We’ve got a 22nd wedding anniversary coming up … I’m thinking a night at the Four Seasons might be THE perfect anniversary gift!

karen On Thursday, November 19 at 12:55 pm

Did I miss something? I’m still wondering where you stayed at in AZ? Either I missed it and cant find it now, but I didn’t ever see a review of a Hotel from AZ. Maybe you stayed at motel6 here or maybe it was just some other horrible place?

Sharon McNeal On Thursday, November 19 at 1:13 pm

I have LOVED all your hotel rooms!! It makes my day! I love to travel and I feel like I am going on a little trip everytime you post your pictures! I am WAITING to recieve my cookbook!! I cant wait! Its taking Amazon forever to get it to me!!! Have fun in Chicago and I cant wait to see the hotel!

81

NicoleW On Thursday, November 19 at 1:16 pm

I’m personally in love with the pool. Possibly because red is my favorite color. I totally want to swim in the pool.

MERCY ME! I’ll take one bathroom and one closet, signed / sealed / and delivered to me…..I’ll be waiting for it. My oh my you did hit the “motherlode” girl!! What a room, so sorry you got to stay only one night.

83

Cookie On Thursday, November 19 at 1:21 pm

Gorgeous room Ree! WOW! Thanks for sharing!

84

Emily On Thursday, November 19 at 1:21 pm

I hope you packed that tub in your suitcase and will be bringing it home with you.

85

Anne S On Thursday, November 19 at 1:22 pm

I’m really glad you enjoyed your stay in my sweet city and that STL took good care of you and your men!!!

86

Chris A. On Thursday, November 19 at 1:24 pm

Wow! You could have lived there – all I can is sss-www-eee-ttt!

Hope you do get an upgrade in Chicago!

87

Rose. On Thursday, November 19 at 1:27 pm

That bathroom makes me cry. I want!

88

CW On Thursday, November 19 at 1:28 pm

Heck, I am from St. Louis, and I had no idea we had anything like that going on downtown whatsoever! And I had kinda worried about your signing being downtown. Wow! What a room.

89

kathy On Thursday, November 19 at 1:28 pm

We stayed at the Four Seasons also. It was a treat we gave ourselves after a few days with the in-laws…. My son now expects tv’s in the mirrors and gorgeous views. Holiday Inn express will never suffice again.

Maureen in IL On Thursday, November 19 at 1:45 pm

Glad you had such a nice stay in St Louis. Sorry the weather wasn’t better. We were so glad to have you here. I’m still smiling from meeting you and MM and your most adorable punks. Hope the rest of your tour is wonderful.